When the angel Gabriel greets Mary, heaven speaks a word never before heard on earth. Origen, one of the earliest interpreters of this passage, noticed that no one in all of Scripture had ever been greeted in this way. The address “full of grace” is utterly unique. In that moment, Mary stands at the meeting point of heaven and earth. She is the first to receive in herself the fullness of grace that the Son will later pour out upon the world. The Lord is not only with her; he will dwell within her.